It is traditional for most Latino families to care for their abuelos at home. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s among Hispanics is 1.5 times higher than it is among non-Hispanic white Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2010 Facts and Figures report. Now there is a special workshop for Latinos taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s.

The Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Catholic Charities and The Community Place will present Compartiendo Nuestro Camino: El Seminario de Alzheimer on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

This free seminar will be conducted in Spanish and is aimed at caregivers of those who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It will run from 9 a.m. to noon at The Community Place, 125 Parsells Ave., Rochester.

Compartiendo Nuestro Camino is an opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease to better care for loved ones with the disease but also for caregivers to take better care of themselves.

Among the topics covered will be communication, stress, the connection between nutrition and dementia, the importance of legal planning, and fall prevention. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore music and art therapy, as well as physical activity for stress relief.

Contributors

Julio Sáenz was born in Rochester and grew up on Roth Street on the city's Northeast side.
He was editor and publisher of OC Excélsior, the nation's 24th largest Hispanic newspaper based in Orange County, Calif.

Sáenz is the founder of ConXion, a publication started in 2003 to serve the Hispanic community of Rochester. Julio was named to the prestigious "20 under 40" list of the nation's outstanding newspaper industry leaders by Presstime Magazine in 2006. He is active in several professional and community service organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Lisa (Martinez) DeVinney grew up in southern California and Northern Virginia. Having received a bachelor of arts in communications in 1991 from Biola University, she is now pursuing a master of science in strategic leadership degree at Roberts Wesleyan College. Prior to moving to Rochester in 1998, she worked in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the national headquarters of the American Red Cross. Lisa currently serves as the enrollment coordinator for adult programs at Roberts Wesleyan. Her interests focus on higher education, faith, family, Hispanic and women’s issues.

Janice "Jai" Correa was born in Brooklyn and moved to Rochester during her high school years. A self-proclaimed beauty junkie and "bargain-ista," Jai loves to find ways to stay on budget without compromising on beauty. She was inspired by her love of beauty and fashion to create Mami's Time Out, a fashion and beauty blog aimed at Latinas in 2008. With all the things we juggle during the day, who doesn't need a time out?

Julio Jordan is originally from the south Bronx and relocated to Rochester in the mid 1990s. He is currently working with several community agencies and commits to volunteering on a regular basis. He is an avid writer and will discuss topics that cover a wide range of subjects, including finances, music and social issues, just to name a few. He hopes to inspire, motivate, teach and learn on this journey and welcomes you aboard. Enjoy the ride and ask yourself, what will you do today to make tomorrow a better day than yesterday?

Mildred Vazquez Mildred Vazquez has lived and worked in the Rochester area most of her life. Her family moved from Puerto Rico to Rochester when she was very young. Mildred earned her bachelor of science in social work SUNY Brockport. She worked for a number of non-profit agencies and later on, became executive director of Puerto Rican Youth Development. She is now a real estate agent with a well-recognized broker and leader in the area, the RE/MAX Realty Group.

Kelly T. Mullaney Born in Venezuela, Kelly T. Mullaney fell in love with Rochester when she first visited as a high school exchange student, and has been calling it home since 1994. Kelly is the owner of Working Art Media. She is a web designer and producer, social media advocate, enthusiastic photographer and avid networker. Kelly currently serves on the board of directors of the Rochester Hispanic Business Association and she is the Web and Social Media Manager for the RHBA and Latinas Unidas. An alumna of the United Way's LLDP alumna, she volunteers for several non-profit organizations.